Little Rest For Bluesman Who Has Tour Down To A Fine Art

SINGER-guitarist Hans Theessink has become one of the most sought- after artists on the international blues scene.

He is almost constantly on tour and plays an average of 200 concerts a year.

Theessink will return to Australia this week to begin his latest jaunt in Newcastle on Friday with a show at the Gallipoli Legion Club. He will play 10 shows on the tour including an appearance at the Blue Mountains Folk Festival. Theessink is regarded as one of Europe's top blues exports having entertained audiences around the globe in a musical career that has spanned more than 35 years.

His roots lie in the blues but his work has also been influenced by other aspects of roots music.

Theessink's first recording was an EP in 1970.

Since then he has released 20 albums including his latest, Bridges , which is a recording with the new Hans Theessink Band. It takes a musical journey through a mix of blues, R&B, folk, roots, rock and gospel.

It was recently nominated for a Danish Amadeus Award in the category Best Blues, Jazz, Roots, Folk Album.

He already has an Amadeus Award for Songs From The Southland , a tribute to the music of the American South, in 2004.